ED Alleges Collusion with Punjab CM's Aide to Influence Transfers

The Punjab government is reviewing allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning a private individual and others accused of colluding with an officer on special duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The ED claims this alleged collusion was used to illegally influence various government operations.

According to a letter from the ED to the Punjab Director General of Police, accessed by Hindustan Times, the individual, Nitin Gohal, allegedly served as an intermediary. He is accused of connecting interested parties with Rajbir Ghuman, OSD to CM Mann, to influence official transfers and postings, leak confidential government documents, facilitate arms licenses, and secure government approvals. These actions were reportedly done in exchange for alleged monetary and other benefits.

The ED's communication, sent under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has placed the state government in a difficult position. The agency has requested the registration of a "confidential FIR" against Gohal and his associates based on evidence gathered during its investigation. The ED claims that Gohal, in coordination with associates, collected proceeds of crime amounting to crores in cash and land.

Nitin Gohal has denied the ED's allegations, calling them "false propaganda to implicate Ghuman." He stated that Rajbir Ghuman is an old friend and he has been assisting him as a personal assistant in his OSD role. Gohal asserted that the ED is distorting administrative chats and has failed to establish his role in any fraud. The allegations have also ignited political controversy, providing opposition parties with a significant issue to target the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government as assembly elections approach.

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Rajbir is my old friend and I have been assisting him in his office as OSD to the chief minister as a personal assistant. ED is distorting administrative chats. If they had evidence, they would have booked me. But they have failed to establish my role in any fraud.